Facilitated Communication
Facilitated communication (also known as supported typing) is a form of augmentative and alternative communication in which someone physically supports an autistic person and helps him to point at pictures or words.
Facilitated communication is based on the idea that many of the difficulties faced by autistic people are due to movement difficulties rather than to social or communication difficulties.
The communication partner (usually called a facilitator) physically supports the autistic person so that he can point to pictures, symbols, letters and/or words using a computer keyboard or letter/picturebooks. By doing this, the autistic person can demonstrate what he wants to communicate.
Autistic people who use facilitated communication often use it as part of a total communication approach. For example, they may use it in combination with other methods of communication such as speech or sign language.
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About This Glossary
This glossary is designed to explain some of the jargon and gobbledygook used by some people when they talk about autism or research..
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The fact that an intervention is listed in this glossary does not necessarily mean that we agree with its use. Nor does it necessarily mean that there is any scientifically valid or reliable evidence behind it.